Published: November 20, 2008 11:04 pm      

YOUTH: Cub Scouts of Pack 71 learn to do their best

It’s the Cub Scout motto: “Do your best.”

For the Scouts who are part of Pack 71, it’s a way of life.

At every weekly den meeting, and at every monthly pack meeting, the 11 members of Pack 71 — part of the Towpath District of the Iroquois Council of the Boys Scouts of America — learn the value and rewards of doing their best.

“We recognize what the boys have accomplished that month,” said Sarah Lasher, the pack’s committee chair. “There’s no winners and losers. It’s all about doing your best. ... It’s something they can be really proud of.”

Cub Master John Maier said recognition is key to making the Scouting program work, whether it’s through instant recognition or through larger events like graduation ceremonies.

“It's good development for the kids,” Maier said. “It teaches them the values of helping other people. It teaches also the values of working with their peers in order to accomplish those goals.”

The pack is currently seeking new boys between ages 7 and 10 to become Scouts, as its two oldest members will soon be headed up to the Boy Scout level.

At the national and local level, membership levels in Scouting organizations are going strong, according to Bob Drury, senior executive for the Towpath District of the Iroquois Council.

The Boy Scouts of America are gearing up to celebrate their 110th anniversary in 2010.

“There’s not many other youth organizations that can make that same claim,” Drury said. “We are still one of, if not the No. 1 (largest) youth-serving program for boys.”

Maier said the organization benefits youngsters by giving them focus — something that’s sometimes hard to find in this day and age.

“Too many times, as they grow older, you start hearing kids no longer have focus,” he said. “So, hopefully, you can get them young into an organization like this (at a young age) and get them excited about it, and continue on with it, and it'll give them focus later in their lives.”

Lasher said the boys develop friendships as the go along, remaining in the same pack with the same boys as they grow.

Pack 71 is currently recruiting, and Maier said they’re trying to use several methods to bring in new members, including encouraging their current members to bring in their friends and holding open houses at schools.

The pack is based out of Rapids Fire Hall. Anyone within that geographic area who is interested in joining the pack should call Maier at 474-0460 or Lasher at 348-0460.

Anyone interested in Scouting in the rest of Eastern Niagara County can call Drury at 434-2851.

Lasher said some packs are larger than others.

“It all depends on where you live, where it’s more convenient,” she said.

“Certain packs are having some trouble (getting members),” Maier said. “It really depends on the area, as well as the leadership that’s involved with it.”

For now, Pack 71 is looking forward to a winter filled with activities, including both day camps and sleep-away camps.

Drury said the Scouts will continue to find new activities and ways to keep Scouts involved as they grow older.

“In today’s day and age, the kids are doing so much multi-tasking,” he said. “There’s a lot of things for them to do, but Scouting is still alive and well. ... We’re planning to be around another 100 years.”

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.